One of the biggest risks of a teen’s life is due to peer pressure. Peer pressure is frequently the downfall of many amazing smiles, not because people make the wrong decisions, but rather because they find themselves making choices simply to appeal to others, which often comes back to haunt them. If you are not careful, peer pressure can make you take unnecessary risks with both your life and your smile.

One of the biggest oral health risks caused by peer pressure is due to bad habits. Numerous habits such as smoking and chewing tobacco, or using drugs, are destined to destroy your mouth, with no real reward for doing them. Forgo peer pressure risks if they seek to put your teeth and gums at risk, as a damaged smile is not an effective way to kick off adulthood.

If you would like to speak with Dr. Joseph Szymczak and our team about teenage dentistry from a dentist in Grand Rapids, Michigan, please schedule an appointment at our dentist office of MI Roots Family Dental, by calling 616-453-0002. Let us help you find your healthy smile!

The post Oral Health Essentials: Teenage Dentistry first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

– Have you ever been told that you snore or grind and clench your teeth loudly?
– Do you have teeth that look flattened or chipped and loose?
– Is your tooth enamel worn down leading to an increase in tooth sensitivity?
– Do you ever experience jaw pain or soreness when you wake up?
– Do you have any damage to the insides of your cheeks from unconsciously chewing on them through the night?
– Have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea or TMJ?
– Do you ever have pain that feels like an earache, but it’s not caused by your ear?
– Do you have any indentations on your tongue?
– Do you have a locked jaw that won’t open or close completely?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be at an increased risk for bruxism. Our team is here to help you with all your oral health needs. For a complete diagnosis from Dr. Joseph Szymczak and our team at our dentist office in Grand Rapids, Michigan, you can schedule an appointment by calling us at 616-453-0002. We look forward to helping you smile.

The post Do You Experience Any of the Following Symptoms of Bruxism? first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.

As bruxism often occurs during sleep, most people do not know that they grind their teeth. If you wake with a dull headache or a sore jaw, you may be grinding your teeth at night.

Follow these tips to help prevent teeth grinding:

• Avoid or reduce ingesting foods and drinks that contain caffeine, like coffee, chocolate, and soda.
• Avoid alcohol ingestion.
• Do not chew on pencils, pens, and other non-food objects.
• If you grinding or clenching your teeth during the day, place the tip of your tongue between your teeth. This trains your jaw muscles to relax.
• Hold a warm washcloth against your cheek in front of the earlobe to relax your jaw muscles at night.

Talk to our dentist if you think that you have a teeth grinding problem. Your jaw can be examined for signs of bruxism, like wear on the teeth and jaw tenderness. If needed, our dentist can provide a custom-made night guard, a covering worn over the teeth to protect them from injury from teeth grinding. To learn more about bruxism and to schedule an appointment with our dentist, contact our office today.

The post Avoiding Bruxism first appeared on MI Roots Family Dental.